But despite all of those obstacles, knowing they had a summer each remembered fondly throughout their lives made Frankie smile. Meredith Blake had become a powerhouse in the environmental world because of her experiences here and her connection to Ben. So, their story wasn't tragic and had, in fact, led Frankie to John.
She bit back a yawn as her gaze shifted toward the window. A brilliant white with a few pops of evergreen and burnt orange dominated the view. This was all certainly unexpected, being caught in a winter storm in the middle of a Wisconsin forest, and in October, no less!
Before she'd flown to America, she had been assured that it was much too early in the season for inclement weather, but apparently weather forecasting was just as bad in the US as it was in London.
The scene outside, what she could see of it from her cocoon in the bed, was like a Thomas Kinkade painting come to life. The surrounding forest was a patchwork of shadow and light. The sunlight reflected off the snow causing it to sparkle like diamonds while in other places the trees cast deep shadows holding the promise of secrets yet to be revealed. The branches were still coated in a deep blanket of white with only flashes of verdant green or brilliant crimson peeking through. A faint woof and laugh not far from the window reached her, making her grin. John and Angus were enjoying the weather. It was time for her to get up as well.
Her eyes moved past the solid oak headboard of the bed and snagged on a small carving hidden on the inside of the square bedpost. Frankie squinted, trying to see the shape but couldn't quite make it out. She scooted over a foot and leaned up, tracing a finger over the shape, a heart with initials etched inside. Moving closer, she made out the letters and her breath caught in her chest.
B.R. + M.B. Ben Robbins and Meredith Blake
Frankie knew it was them—it had to be! She slumped against the bed frame, her mind whirling. Her grandmother had been here, in this bed, with a man she loved deeply but was destined to leave behind. Rather he would inspire her true professional path tying them together through a shared love of the forest, conservation, and the power of nature in overcoming disaster. This had to be a sign that she, Frankie, was on the right track. She believed in her gut that yesterday, disaster though it had been, happened for a reason. Frankie was here for areason.
Energized at her discovery, Frankie jumped from the bed and scuttled to the bathroom. There was no time to waste and today was the start of her education. She had made great progress just convincing John to help her. Now all she had to do was keep herself from falling head over heels for the magnetic man.
***
John laughed as he watched Angus barrel through the piles of snow he'd made along the driveway. The dog was up there in years, but occasionally something made him act like a puppy again. Snow always seemed to do it for Angus, but he’d probably sleep the rest of the day and limp for a bit. All that mattered to John was his companion’s happiness.
As for him, he'd needed the exercise granted by manual labor. And clearing the drive of heavy snow by hand did just that. His back ached and his body was pleasantly exhausted after the exertion, but his brain was still spinning. He’d spent a long, uncomfortable night thinking about Frankie and he’d needed the escape from the cabin currently occupied by a tempting siren nestled in his bed.
He’d been immersed in her scent from his perch on the living room couch, where she had been entrenched before heading tobed.Hisbed. Her musky, sweet scent roused steamy dreams of burying his nose in her silky neck, between her lush breasts, and further south.
He grinned, wondering if she'd be shocked or if she'd welcome the idea of his tongue sliding along her cleft as he spread her legs further apart.
John winced and adjusted himself, which was difficult through his heavy-duty snow bibs, not to mention the layers underneath. He had to stop that train of thought, especially considering the way she'd looked last night crawling into his king-sized bed. It was easier said than done.
He had been demonstrating the controls to the mechanical blinds when she’d climbed in and nestled deep into the heavy covers, looking like she belonged there. He’d nearly scrambled in after her.
It didn’t help matters when Frankie confirmed that her grandmother had not returned to England pregnant all those years ago. John hadn’t mentioned it, but he’d known well the story of his grandfather’s great love affair and after learning of Frankie’s background, wondered at the possibility that they could be cousins. He’d been flooded with relief when it was evident they were not related.
Then his mind naturally switched to more steamy notions.
With a grunt, he clenched his jaw hard. He really had to be careful. Otherwise, he'd end up like his grandfather pining for a woman he could never have. Frankie had a life and a mission an ocean away and nothing would change that. She was here for one week before she flew back to London and out of his life. And as the granddaughter of the renowned environmentalist, Meredith Blake, Frankie certainly would feel the responsibility to carry on that work. That duty to a legacy was certainly something John understood all too well.
Another woof grabbed his attention and John turned to find Angus waiting for him on the front porch. His seated, yet alert, stance with drool dripping from his mouth said,'I'm hungry.'
With a chuckle, John made his way to the storage shed where he hung up the shovel, then trudged back to the porch. He stopped before climbing the stairs and stared at the door, wondering if she was still snuggled in his bed. The thought of climbing in that bed with her, pulling her warm, naked form against his…
"Damn." With a shake of his head, he made his way up the steep stairs. "Your daddy is going crazy, Angus." The dog answered with a heavy whack of his tail.
John took two steps inside the cabin before the smell hit him, comforting and delicious.
"I hope you don't mind," Frankie called out over her shoulder. "I thought I'd make a little breakfast this morning. I figured you could use it after shoveling, and I know I'll need something in my stomach before we get started today."
John stood frozen and stared, his jaw somewhere on the floor. She was in his kitchen looking like a wet dream. Her luxurious brown locks were drawn up in a messy bun that exposed the delectable curve of her neck. A curve he ached to nuzzle from shoulder to ear with hot sucking kisses.
Even more enticing, she wore one of his plaid shirts, and the collar was so wide it had slipped down exposing a shoulder. He knew if he took a few steps to the side, he'd see it was more like a dress on her. He yearned to walk up behind her and fit his body against hers, running his lips across the baby soft skin of her shoulder to see if goosebumps popped out.
He cleared his throat, hoping it would clear his mind as well. It had no effect. "I don't mind at all. What are you cooking?"
"Well, I had planned to go with a frittata, but now I think it's more of a messy omelet."
"Whatever it is, it smells like heaven." With a sigh, John perched on the small bench near the door and wrestled off his boots, then unzipped and peeled out of his snow suit. Although it was only twenty degrees outside, he'd worked up quite a sweat. He'd enjoyed the burn in his muscles, but now he needed a shower and his stomach rumbled insistently.
"If you don't mind, I'll take a quick shower before we eat."
"Take your time." Frankie waving the spatula. "It'll still be a few minutes. I noticed you had a loaf of bread in the refrigerator. Would you like toast, too?"
